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irt
Oklahoma
health care
authority
SoonerCare Companion
Soonercare Members Get Your Annual Flu Shot
W,
ith the fall season upon us, so is the flu
season. It usually lasts from October to May.
Influenza, (flu) is a serious disease of the nose,
throat and lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia
and other severe respiratory infections. The
flu shot is your best chance to avoid the flu.
The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Serious
problems from the flu shot are very rare.
The flu shot can be given before or during
the flu season. The best time to get your shot is
October or November, before flu season starts,
but you can get it in December or later. Adults
and children with conditions like asthma,
diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease
have a great need to get a flu shot. Doctors
also recommend children six months and
older get a flu shot every year until their 5th
birthday. Pregnant women should always
get a flu shot-it not only protects them but
also their unborn child.
SoonerCare covers the flu shot for both
children and adults. This can be done at
your Medical Home. Drugstores, senior
centers, and workplaces often offer flu shots,
too. If you have questions about getting a flu
shot, contact your Medical Home.
By Sylvia Lopez, M.D.
FAAPandOHCA
Chief Medical Officer
Importance of the Flu Shot
Debunking the Myth about the Flu Shot
The influenza virus is extremely contagious and very easily
spread, especially in cramped working conditions such as
li j^-l^h: tl • «. c ■ The fiu is airborn.
schools and tight orhces. Ihe importance or prevention J
cannot be overstated. When you receive the flu vaccine, you not only ensure that you
are protected but you also passively protect your family members and co-workers.
This is especially critical when one is in close contact with the very young, such as
infants, and the very old, such as elderly parents and grandparents, and those who are
immunocompromised, such as those who are pregnant. The flu is not the common cold. It
is much, much worse. Receiving the flu vaccine does not cause the flu or the common
cold. The most common complaint is mild discomfort at the injection site.
Fall 2012

This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders.

Full text

irt
Oklahoma
health care
authority
SoonerCare Companion
Soonercare Members Get Your Annual Flu Shot
W,
ith the fall season upon us, so is the flu
season. It usually lasts from October to May.
Influenza, (flu) is a serious disease of the nose,
throat and lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia
and other severe respiratory infections. The
flu shot is your best chance to avoid the flu.
The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Serious
problems from the flu shot are very rare.
The flu shot can be given before or during
the flu season. The best time to get your shot is
October or November, before flu season starts,
but you can get it in December or later. Adults
and children with conditions like asthma,
diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease
have a great need to get a flu shot. Doctors
also recommend children six months and
older get a flu shot every year until their 5th
birthday. Pregnant women should always
get a flu shot-it not only protects them but
also their unborn child.
SoonerCare covers the flu shot for both
children and adults. This can be done at
your Medical Home. Drugstores, senior
centers, and workplaces often offer flu shots,
too. If you have questions about getting a flu
shot, contact your Medical Home.
By Sylvia Lopez, M.D.
FAAPandOHCA
Chief Medical Officer
Importance of the Flu Shot
Debunking the Myth about the Flu Shot
The influenza virus is extremely contagious and very easily
spread, especially in cramped working conditions such as
li j^-l^h: tl • «. c ■ The fiu is airborn.
schools and tight orhces. Ihe importance or prevention J
cannot be overstated. When you receive the flu vaccine, you not only ensure that you
are protected but you also passively protect your family members and co-workers.
This is especially critical when one is in close contact with the very young, such as
infants, and the very old, such as elderly parents and grandparents, and those who are
immunocompromised, such as those who are pregnant. The flu is not the common cold. It
is much, much worse. Receiving the flu vaccine does not cause the flu or the common
cold. The most common complaint is mild discomfort at the injection site.
Fall 2012